Lorcan: Dragonquest

Chapter 8

Dim light filtered in through the curtains in the early morning. Something was prodding Lorcan's face. He opened one eye and saw Tinkle bending over his face, poking his cheek.

"Wake up, Lorcan," said the gnome. "It's nearly dawn."

"What for?" asked Lorcan, pulling the blanket up over his shoulder.

"Your ship is leaving soon."

"Oh, yes." Lorcan sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. The sound of chatter from the other bed told him that Winkle was waking Cokelli. He washed and shaved, then dressed and prepared to leave.

Just when Cokelli had put the last of his things away, there was a knock on the door.

"Quick," hissed Lorcan, dropping his saddlebag, but when the door opened, he could feel the gnomes climbing up his leggings.

Cokelli opened the door.

Frumlid stepped inside. "Good, you're up. Time to go, but you're not setting foot on my ship till I have had my money."

"Of course," said Lorcan. The gnomes were clinging to the hairs on his legs, and it hurt, but he had to keep a straight face till the captain had left. When Frunlid turned away and Cokelli had shut the door, he addressed the gnomes. "Get out of there. Now."

The gnomes got out and climbed into the saddlebag, then Lorcan carried it downstairs.

In the lobby, Frumlid waited for them.

Lorcan paid his bill, then said, "I am getting my horses. I will meet you at the dock."

Frumlid scowled. "Very well."

"What's up with him?" asked Cokelli, when they were outside.

"I don't know for certain," Lorcan replied, "but he seems awfully eager to get hold of our money before we depart."

Cokelli shrugged. "And you didn't even think of going with someone else."

"I want to see what his game is."

"For twenty silver pieces?" asked Cokelli, raising an eyebrow.

"I am happy to give the man his dues," replied Lorcan.

"Yes, but is he due twenty silver pieces?"

Lorcan smirked. "I didn't say I'd let him keep them."

Cokelli grinned. "Now that sounds more like you."

They got their horses, saddled them, and rode them to the docks. A row of ships of assorted sizes lined the quays. Some had men clambering in the rigging while others lay empty and quiet, their sails furled. The only one with open sails was right at the end, a three-masted galley with a few thralls quietly carrying supplies aboard. Frumlid stood on the dock near the gangplank with his arms folded, looking around. When he saw Lorcan and Cokelli approach, he reached for his sword and clutched the grip tightly, and glared at them. "Twenty silver pieces."

"When we are aboard," said Lorcan. "What difference does it make when I pay you, as long as I pay you?"

"How do I know you can afford it?" Frumlid asked, his lower lip curled.

Feigning unconcern, Lorcan pulled out his drawstring purse, opened it, and emptied out the coins into one hand. "Is this enough?"

"I suppose so," the captain grumbled.

Lorcan and Cokelli dismounted and boarded the ship, taking their horses down to the hold.

"Something's wrong," whispered Cokelli. "Nothing feels right about this."